What If I Have a Soft-Tissue Injury From a South Bend Auto Accident?

Some people wrongly think soft-tissue injuries are less severe than broken bones. However, the opposite is often true. Soft-tissue damage can negatively affect your daily life due to ongoing pain and reduced mobility, which can make it difficult to work or enjoy hobbies like running or painting.

If you are dealing with a soft-tissue injury from an auto accident in South Bend, and the crash was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior, our South Bend car accident attorneys may be able to help. We offer a free consultation so you can discuss your potential case and legal options. There are also no fees unless we win the case.

Call us today to speak to an experienced attorney: (574)-444-0741.

Defining Soft-Tissue Injuries

Soft-tissue injuries damage the body’s connective tissues, including muscles, ligaments and tendons. Sometimes these injuries accompany fractures or other injuries that victims can see, like cuts or bruises.

While there can be many causes for soft-tissue damage, these injuries are often a result of sudden trauma. For example, you could suffer a soft-tissue injury in a car crash because of the force of the collision, causing sprains, strains or bruising.

Some of these injuries are more severe than others – some heal with rest and limited physical activity. Others may require surgery and long-term physical therapy.

What Are Common Soft-Tissue Injuries From a South Bend Car Crash?

These are some of the most common soft-tissue injuries that occur in car crashes:

• Whiplash, a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward
• Sprains and strains affecting the back, shoulders and knees
• Contusions or deep bruises – these may seem minor, but they can lead to chronic pain or mobility issues if left untreated
• Tendonitis – inflammation of the tendon, often due to overuse of a body part or trauma
• Bursitis – inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions bones and muscles or tendons
• Lacerations – cuts or tears in the skin and underlying tissues, often caused by sharp objects or impact
• Rotator cuff tear – a tear in the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint
• Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – this refers to a tear in one of the key ligaments that stabilize the knee joint
• Pinched or compressed nerves – when nerves are compressed by surrounding tissues, victims may experience pain, numbness or weakness
• Hernias – when an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue

What Are Some Symptoms That Can Signal Soft-Tissue Injuries?

Recognizing the symptoms of soft-tissue injuries is critical. Sometimes, symptoms take days or even weeks to appear. Pay close attention to how your body feels after a crash, even if you initially feel fine, as untreated soft-tissue injuries can worsen over time.

Some of the common symptoms of a soft-tissue injury include:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Bruising
• Weakness
• Muscle spasms
• Joint instability
• Numbness or tingling
• Visible deformity
• Reduced range of motion in the affected area
• Pain that worsens with movement

Some soft-tissue injuries are worse than others, and these are some of the signs of a potentially severe soft-tissue injury:

• Open wounds: cuts or lacerations that expose underlying tissues
• Inability to bear weight: Difficulty or inability to put weight on the affected limb
• Loss of function: inability to move the affected joint or muscle normally
• Systemic symptoms: Symptoms like fever or feeling unwell could indicate an infection or more severe trauma.

What Are the Treatments for Soft-Tissue Injuries?

Treatment for soft-tissue injuries typically begins with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). This basic first aid can help reduce swelling and manage pain.

Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor might recommend physical therapy, pain management techniques, or even more advanced treatments like corticosteroid injections.

Surgery might sometimes be necessary to repair severe tears or other damage.

Following your doctor’s treatment plan is critical to fully recovering and preventing long-term issues. If you push it, you risk reaggravating the injury and extending the recovery period.

Should I See a Specialist for My Soft-Tissue Injury?

If your injury is more severe or does not improve with standard treatment from a general practitioner, you may need to go see a specialist. They can provide more targeted care for your specific injuries. Additionally, a specialist can provide more detailed documentation of your injuries, which helps your claim for compensation.

These are some of the specialists who can provide specialized treatment for soft-tissue damage:

• Orthopedic doctors specialize in the musculoskeletal system and can diagnose and treat injuries to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
• Chiropractors provide adjustments and manipulations to help alleviate pain and improve function, particularly for back and neck injuries.
• Physical therapists design rehabilitation programs to help restore movement and strength and reduce pain.
• Neurologists are doctors who focus on the nervous system and help with nerve-related injuries.
• Pain management specialists: These doctors manage chronic pain through various treatments and therapies.
• Rheumatologists specialize in treating musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions that can affect the joints, muscles and bones.
• Occupational therapists help patients regain the ability to perform daily activities through therapeutic techniques and exercises.
• Physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians): These doctors specialize in non-surgical treatments to improve mobility and quality of life for patients with physical impairments.
• Massage therapists provide therapeutic massage to help reduce muscle tension, improve circulation and promote healing.
• Acupuncturists: traditional Chinese medicine technique to alleviate pain and promote healing by inserting thin needles into specific points on the body

Often, crash victims are referred to specialists like these by another doctor, such as the doctor who initially treats them in the emergency room.

How Can a Medical Expert Help Your Soft-Tissue Injury Claim?

A medical expert is essential for linking your injury to the car crash and providing detailed documentation of its severity. This documentation is critical when filing a compensation claim. The expert’s evaluation helps to determine the extent of your injuries, outline the necessary treatment and assess how the injury affects your quality of life.

The expert’s report will detail not only the physical pain and emotional suffering, but also any limitations on your ability to work or perform daily activities. They can also provide insights into the potential long-term effects of your injuries, such as chronic pain or permanent disability.

Their knowledge may help ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related losses. This type of expertise is vital, as soft-tissue injuries are often not visible on medical imaging tests. That means the other driver’s insurance company is going to question whether you even have an injury, along with whether it is severe.

What Type of Compensation Can I Obtain for My Soft Tissue Injuries?

If another driver’s negligence caused your soft-tissue injuries, you may be eligible for compensation such as:

• Medical expenses: the cost of hospital stays, medical devices, medications and more
• Future medical expenses: compensation for anticipated future medical treatments related to the injury
• Lost wages: the wages you lost from missing work due to your accident
• Pain and suffering: the physical pain and emotional distress caused by an injury
• Rehabilitation costs: expenses related to physical therapy, occupational therapy and other forms of rehabilitation
• Property damage: any damage to the victim’s vehicle or personal property
• Loss of consortium: the impact of the injuries on the victim’s relationship with his or her spouse or family
• Emotional distress: psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression or PTSD resulting from the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life: the inability to participate in activities or hobbies you enjoyed before the accident
• Punitive damage: if the at-fault driver acted recklessly, this type of compensation may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct

What Are Some of The Challenges of Obtaining Compensation for Soft-Tissue Injuries?

There are many reasons why recovering compensation for soft-tissue damage can be a challenge:

• Delayed symptoms: Soft-tissue injury symptoms can take hours or even days to appear after an accident. This delay can lead to skepticism from insurance companies about the cause and severity of the injury.
• Subjective nature of pain: Pain and suffering are subjective and vary from person to person. This subjectivity makes it challenging to quantify and prove the extent of pain and suffering caused by soft-tissue injuries.
• Documentation and proof: Thorough documentation of medical visits, treatments and the impact of the injury on daily life is crucial. However, maintaining detailed records can be burdensome for the injured party.

Call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak After a Soft-Tissue Injury From an Auto Accident

When you have an experienced attorney, it can make a difference in your case. They can gather the necessary evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and advocate for fair compensation on your behalf.

If you feel overwhelmed about where to start with your legal claim after a car crash injury, do not hesitate to call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak. Our car accident attorneys in South Bend have years of experience helping our clients receive the fair compensation they need to recover.

We do not charge any upfront cost to speak to one of our attorneys and do not get paid unless we win your case.

Call us today to schedule your free consultation: (574)-444-0741.